Chapter 12

The room was dark with the only light being that of the hazy torches lit outside of the Fire Lord's bedroom. Although it was dark, Zuko found his way to Katara with hardly any trouble.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her up off of the floor before hugging her to his form, tightly.

"Do you remember our dance?"

Katara nodded against his bare chest, her tears coming to a stop. He smelled of spices and fire apples and she inhaled deeply to allow the smell to permeate her senses.

"Well, what are we listening to?" Zuko asked, loving the way it felt to have her in his arms again. They swayed slowly.

"The dripping of the washtub's drain, the burning of embers in the corridor, and the loud beating of your—Zuko, why is your heart beating so fast—."

Katara was cut off by Zuko's lips capturing her own. It was a nice kiss, much like the very first one they shared. Well, it wouldn't be by the time, Katara was done.

She kissed him back hungrily, her hands on his chest. She could give in to her feelings and then what? What would be the repercussions? Katara's musings caused her to stop the impending assault she set forth and she pushed the fire bender away.

"What the hell are we thinking?" Katara mumbled.

Zuko practically growled in annoyance and latched onto her arm firmly before she could walk more than a foot away.

"I asked you if you remembered our dance."

Katara's eyes widened in surprise as Zuko spun her around and pulled her flush against his chest, not gently. His hands moved to her waist.

She gasped loudly at the impact, all of her breath leaving her in a rush. She looked up at him, slowly, noticing that his jaw was set and that his eyes were matching, narrow slits. His brow-line was deeply furrowed. She hardly noticed the scar.

It shamed her to think that for a fleeting moment she was frightened of him causing her to take a step back until she saw the raw passion flaming in his amber-colored eyes.

Noticing that her right leg made a tentative step backward, Zuko moved his left foot forward. He pushed her back, back, back until she could feel the wall behind her.

Katara felt heat rise to her face and she looked away from his as it registered in her mind that he was shirtless and that she was also barely dressed. More heat when she realized that she could feel his arousal. And that old feeling of idle sensuality latched onto her thoughts once again.

She liked that she was dancing with flames and she loved that she was doing this to him.

As if he could read her thoughts, "You don't know what you do to me."

Katara looked up at Zuko's face once more to see that his eyes were closed, his frown gone. His warm forehead lowered to rest against hers.

"..Zuko…" Katara mumbled finally finding her voice. She began to tremble.

Zuko opened his eyes and leaned back. Tears were swimming in the waterbender's morning blue eyes.

He released her, groaning, and backed away before moving to turn away in shame. How dare he do such a thing to her? He wanted to punch himself for imposing on her personal space without permission; like she was his.

He felt her touch on his arm.

"I am so sorry I left you so long ago."

Haru found himself sitting in front of his commander alone after dinner. They were in Aang's wing of the palace in a private office that looked as if it was rarely used, if even used at all.

"Brother, I trust and respect you more than anyone else in outside of my family," Sokka started to say, slowly, his tone serious.

The air was still as if the winds had recognized the seriousness of the words that the Sword Squad leader had yet to speak. Haru stared at the tired-looking Water Tribe man.

"I need you to do something for me. I am taking leave soon and I want you to be in charge in my stead."

Haru lifted his eyebrows, allowing curiosity to run rampant throughout and within his mind.

"Sir?"

"I'm not going to tell you my reasoning for leaving and I hope you can respect that. Just know that I will be gone within the next two days and I trust that you'll do fine as a leader. Once everyone discovers that I'm gone, you will have to try very hard not to reveal that you'd spoken to me regarding my absence. Feign ignorance and confusion," Sokka leaned back in his chair, his shoulders slumped, and stared at the man as he waited patiently for a response.

Rather than with words, Haru's response was one of duty and honor. Sokka watched as he positioned his right fist over his heart to accept the task given to him by his leader.

Sokka smiled grimly, "Toph will be sending more members of the Kyoshi Warriors here within the next few weeks. Some of your fellow soldiers will be with them as well. Be mindful of who you discuss things with. Trust the men that we brought with us and for all others, only those you know."

Haru stood and bowed, his fist still at the right side of his chest.

"I accept any and all responsibility, Sir. I will diligently do as ordered and under the penalty of death shall I stray," Haru stated in acceptance of his new position.

Sokka was both elated and weary of the last part of Haru's acceptance. He was astonished to hear the old oath that the Sword Squad members were sworn in under. That oath hadn't been used since the second year of the squad's existence due to peaceful times.

He hadn't expected to hear it again and that's when he knew that he could definitely trust the earthbender in front of him.

Sokka nodded to dismiss the soldier.

At the door, Haru turned, "You be careful with whatever it is that you are doing, Sokka. Come back alive."

The Water Tribe warrior nodded sharply. His most trustworthy soldier closed the door and he was alone.

For the first time in a while, Sokka allowed his mind to stray. He wondered what his sister was up to on this night. He had gone to her room to speak with her one last time before he left but she wasn't there. She must have stayed with Zuko after healing him.

Sokka sighed in annoyance and jealousy. He knew that the two of them would do anything and everything for one another. He and Suki?

Sokka believed Azula and that thought alone made him grimace in anguish. He thought that he knew Suki well, but not enough it had seemed. The countless nights that they had spent wrapped in one another's arms while telling each other their silliest childhood memories were meaningless. Did she ever care?

She was working with the very people that he fought against for peace and prosperity. He shook his head to wipe the thoughts from his mind. Just a few weeks ago, he was celebrating how nice it was to not have to worry about war. Many of his men were too young to have experienced fighting the Fire Nation army five years ago. His men. Hah.

No, not anymore. Still shaking his head, the Sword Squad leader stood up and left the Avatar's hardly used office. He walked to the room that he always occupied when he visited the palace. He hadn't been too shocked to see that his room had remained the same since he had last visited.

While he liked change, he also liked for things to remain constant.

Pillows still littered the elaborate carpets that adorned the palace's stone flooring. Sokka dropped down on a pillow. He would pack shortly for he would be leaving on this night.

Sokka positioned his body in a meditative pose. He needed to clear his mind so that he could keep focus. Things were going to be dangerous and he couldn't make stupid mistakes. There would be no one there to laugh at him, only to kill him.

He had a personal mission.

"…and only under the penalty of death shall I stray."

Well…it's been…AGES. I've been reading A LOT lately which has definitely helped me start writing again. I know that this is a shorter chapter but I have my reasons. I have many a trick up my sleeve for your reading pleasure. I even have an outline now.

Obviously there's more to this story than just simple Zutara smooching.

This is one of my favorite chapters although there may be a few flaws.

Tell me all about how much you enjoyed this chapter in a REVIEW! I'm eager to see what theories you may have!